The LWV of West Virginia’s Voters Guide for candidates for the US Senate and House of Representatives in the May 13, 2014 Primary Election will be posted on or about April 24. Please check back then to read the candidates’ responses to questions from the League.

Last day to register to vote is April 22

Early voting starts April 30, ends May 10. Contact your local county clerk for hours and location(s).

At the Annual Meeting this May, our Proposed Local Program for 2014-2015 will be presented for approval. Our League is a grassroots organization where members and interested citizens may participate in planning. While non-members cannot participate in the consensus portion of program planning, they can be part of the meeting. This is why we encourage you to ask at least one individual you know to attend our Membership Meeting at Eat’n Park on March 11, 7-9pm, especially individuals interested in “hot” issues.

Program planning is a three-part process that is a core component of the League’s mission. It is composed of study on issues, consensus on what action to take, and advocating with one voice for that action. Our current programs include Local Government, Voters Service, Planning, Natural Resources, Transportation, and Social Justice. Programs are the foundation we build on to advocate for positive change. Arrive at 7pm, if you want to order a snack, dessert or meal. At 7:30pm, we will review existing studies for each program and open the floor for desired additions/changes and new programs that citizens would be interested in. It is that simple!

Remember, even if you cannot attend the meeting on the 11th, or if it is canceled due to the weather, you may still submit recommendations to jr@lwvwv.org until the 17th, or attend the board meeting on that same date at the Morgantown Public Library, 6-8pm when the Board considers the recommendations of all members.

League program planning occurs on the national, regional, state, and local levels. Local Leagues, like ours, can play a direct role in developing these programs on all these levels. The positions that result from these programs include LWVUS’s Impact on Issues, LWVWV’s League Issues in West Virginia and LWVMM’s Consensus Positions. They can be found at these links:

Members of the Natural Resources committee have been working with the group NoInjectionWell.org to publicize the possible placing of an injection well for fracking waste water near Deckers Creek. Energy Corporation of America (ECA) is currently determining the feasibility of a site outside Masontown, 500 ft from the rail trail and Deckers Creek.

The League helped with a petition gathering effort in Masontown, WV early in February where many Masontown citizens (including the mayor of Masontown) registered their fears about spills and leakage of the toxic wastewater into the Deckers Creek and their underground water.

The League is also working with a planning committee of NoInjectionWell.org to bring a speaker to Morgantown to talk about the realities and dangers of fracking wastewater injection wells, and what has happened around the country where there are hundreds in place. There are already at least 70 injection wells in West Virginia. Our Board has registered its opposition with ECA on the placement of one near Deckers Creek.

The next meeting of NoInjectionWell.org is March 12, Wednesday, at 6:30 pm at the Isaak Walton League Clubhouse. All members of the League of Women Voters are welcome. Call Kitty Lozier, 304-599-8233 for directions or a ride. See the Website at Noinjectionwell.org for details about the organization.

VOTERS SERVICE

The League is sponsoring a Board of Education Candidate Forum on April 23, Wednesday, at 7pm at the Village at Heritage Point. Candidates this year are incumbents Clarence Harvey, Central District; Michael Kelly, Western District; and Barbara Parsons Schauff, Central District. A new candidate, Robert Lynn Core, will also be on the ballot.

On May 13, the Board of Education contest will be a final election rather than a primary. The three candidates with the most votes will be on the Board of Education.

The League is also sponsoring a House of Delegates Candidate Forum. There are seven Democrats and seven Republicans running inthe primary. Five from each party will be elected to run in the fall. The forum will be April 16, Wednesday, 7-9pm, at the Rhododendron room in the Mountainlair.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The second workshop, What d’ ya know .. About Monongalia County Government was well attended, and educational. You can now access all documents and presentations from the complete series at http://lwvwv.org/tag/workshops.

Lyn Widmyer

Ora Ash

Slide: 5 member commission

John Sofranko

.. And we had an exciting Legislators Forum – Dec. 2!

Also in this issue, check out the Calendar for important dates. Annual Meeting is being planned for May 14, 1 day after Election Day!